Saxophone



l Nov. 12, 1929.

E. v. POWELL 1,735,411

SAXOPHONE Filed July 5, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet l Ime/wiz) 2a.- Edlvb/d 717010922 by @www Nov. l2, 1,929.

E. V POWELL SAXOPHONE Filed July 5, 1928 3 sheets-sheet` 3 Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAXOPHONE Application filed July 5, 192s.

This invention relates to saxophones and similar wind instruments, and aims to provide simplified octave mechanism, to reduce the number of operating parts between the keys and the valves, to reduce the amount of friction to be overcome in playing the instrument, and to reduce the expense of manufacture.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one specific embodiment thereof, y

while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of the upper portion of a saxophone embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a portion of what is shown in Fig. 1, as viewed from the righthand side thereof;

Fig.3 is a plan of the neck with its octave valve;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are elevations, partly in section, illustrating in various positions a por- 25 tion of the octave valve mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7-7 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 isa sectional view, on an enlarged scale, on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9 9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, on line 10-10 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 11 is a somewhat diagrammatic development of a portion of the saxophone, illustrating a part of the octave mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated therein, there is shown a portion of a saxophone whose general construction and mode of operation are usual and Well known, with the exception of my novel octave mechanism.

Only such parts of the saxophone as are necessary to an understanding of the present invention will be described.

' The saxophone has a usual horn tube or body 15 (see Fig. 1), to' which there is attachedv a 'usual neck 16. The neck is provided with a usual octave opening 17, controlled by 50 a pad 18 carried by a lever 19 (see Fig. 3),

Serial No` 290,432.

pivoted at 2O and having associated therewith a spring 21, which normally holds the pad 18 seated upon the opening 17. These parts are of usual construction and arrangement, except that they are mounted at the back of the neck, instead of at the top. This location is preferred, because there is less sliding friction between the lever and the actuating arm presently to be described. Secured to the lever is a ring 22, which encircles the neck adjacent the point where it is attached to the body, and within this ring there is an actuating arm 23, which is suitably formed on or secured to a rocking sleeve 24. The point of articulation between the ring 22 and the arm 23 is on the same side of the fulcrums of the levers 19 and 23, and there is, therefore, a minimum of rubbing action of one of said levers against the other. The sleeve 24 is disposed about, and is secure-d as by a pin 25 to a shaft 26 (see Fig. 11), whose ends are mounted on conical bearing screws 27 and 28 on posts 29 and 30, respectively, secured to the horn tube or body 15.

There is also secured to the shaft 25, as by a pin 31, a lever 32 having a short arm 33 and a long arm 34. The long arm underlies an arm 35, which, as shown in Fig. 9, is secured to a rockshaft 36, to which there is also secured an arm 37, rigidly connected by a rod 38 (see Fig. 11) to a similar arm 39. As the arms 34 and 35 are engageable with each other at a point on the same side of their fulcrums, there is a minimum of rubbing action between said arms. Secured to the rod 38 is an arm 40, which presents a G-key 41 operated by the third finger of the left hand. The G-key 41 and the arm 35 are normally lifted by a spring 42 (see Fig. 11) one end of which is anchored in a post 43, while the other end engages a lug 44 on a sleeve 45, secured to the shaft 36. Thus, the arm 35 (see Fig. 9) is normally held out of engagement with the arm 34 by the spring 42. When the G-key is depressed, the arm 35 1s brought into engagement with the arm 34, and thus holds the lever 32 against rocking movement. The importance of this will presently appear. Referring now to Fig. 4, a spring 46, having one end anchored to the post 29, has its other end CII received in a lug 47, which is secured to the sleeve 24. This spring normally exerts on the sleeve 24 (and on the shaft 26 which is pinned to it) a force tending to rock the sleeve and the shaft in the direction of the arrow on said sleeve in Fig. 4. As will presently appear, this tendency normally is resisted by a superior force exerted by another and stronger spring acting through the octave key in a clockwise direction on the under .side of the arm 33 of the lever 32 (Fig. 9).

The body is provided with a second octave opening 48 (see 4), whch is controlled by a pad 49 carried by an arin 50 pivoted at 51 on a pair of posts 52 on the body. A spring 53, anchored at one end to one ofthe posts 52, rests at its free end against the under side of the arm 50, and thus tends to lift the latter and to hold the pad 49 elevated above the hole 48. The arm 5U controlled by a floating lever 54, which is pivoted on a stud screwed into the end of an arin 56, the latter being suitably secured to the sleeve 24V. An adjustable screw 57, carried by. one end of the lever 54, engages the upper of the arm 50. The other end oi' the lever is connected to an arniy 58, as by a pin 59 secured to the end of said arm, and working in a slot in the end of said lever.

Referring now to` 11, the arm 58 is l suitably secured to a rocking sleeve 61, which is loosely mounted on and about the shaft 28. There is also secured to this sleeve an arm 82 presenting an octave key 63, which is operated by the thumb of the left hand, and is associated with a thumb rest 64 secured to the horn body.

Referring again to Fig. 4, a spring 65, having one end anchored to the post 30, has its free end received in a lug 66 secured to the sleeve (il. This spring tends to maintain the octave Akey 63 elevated, and to act through the arm 58 and lever 54 to maintain the pad 49 in its closed position, shown in Fig. 4,

against the lifting tendency of the spring 53. `Refeiujing now to Fig. 9. the arni (52, on which the octave key 63 is formed, underlies the short arm of the lever It follows that i spring also tends to maintain the arin y in engagement with theunderside of the arm 33, and, moreover, this spring being stronger than the spring 46, tends to urge the lever clockwise (see Fig. 9), and to maintain the arin 34 against the body 15.

The operation of the octave key mechanie'an `will new be described, reference being had at first to Fig. 11. The entire operation is controlled by the G-key 41 and the octave key 63. y There are four possiblecombinations or conditions ofthese keys. The first is when both keys are free. Under these conditions, both octave pads 18 and 49 close their respective openings 17 and 48, and the lower register maybe played, This condition is represented in Fig. 4,

The second condition is wh'en the G-key is free, and the octave key 63 is pressed. li'essure on the octave key rocks the sleeve in the direction of the arrow thereon in Fig. 5, and swings the arm 58 (which is lixed on the sleeve) in a downward direction. The natural effect of this would be to rock the lever 54 on its fulcrum 55, and thus to allow the arm 50 to lift the pad 49, but it will be relllembered that the spring 46 constantly tends to rock the sleeve 24 and the shaft 26 in the direction of the arrow on said sleeve. ln other words, referring to Fig. 9, the spring 4G constantly tends to make the arin 33 of the lever 32 follow the arm G2 of the octave key (S3. lli/Then, therefore, the octave key'63 is depressed against the resistance presented by the spring 65 (which, it will be remembered, is stronger than the spring 46), the arm 33 follows the arm 62. Thus, itis apparent that, under these conditions the fulcruln 55 of; the lever54 will descend to the position shown in F ig. 5 simultaneously with the descent of the arm 58. It follows that the lever 54 will. not be rocked. on its fulcruin 55, and hence the octave pad 49 will notl be lifted from the opening 48. `Further, under this cendi'bn, the lever 32 tends to follow the .ever 2, rockshaft 2G and sleeve 24, which pinned together. Thus, the actuating rin 23 is brought into play against the ring c nnected to the lever'19 pivoted at 20, to raise the pad 18 from its opening 17. Under these conditions, therefore, the upper portion of the upper register can be played.

The third condition is when the G-key is depressed, and the octave key is free. Under these conditions, the two octave pads are closed, and the instrument may be played in the lower register, as was the case in the first condition.

The fourth condition is when the Gkey and the octave key are both depressed. Underthese conditions, the octave pad 18 should be lowered or closed, and the octave pad 49 should be lifted or opened. This condition of affairs is illustrated in Fig. 6, and is brought about in the following manner: Referring now to Fig. 9, when the G-key is depressed, the arm 35 will swing in an inward or downward direction against the underlying arm 3 4 of the lever 32, and will lock said lever in the position shown in 9. This means that the fulcrum 55 of the lever 54 cannot descend (because the arm 33 cannot new follow the arm 62). It follows that when the octave key is depressed. thus rocking' the sleeve (il in the direction ofthe arrow thereon in Fig. G, the arm 58 fixed on said sleeve will rock the lever 54 about its ful,

key only to maintain the first pad upon itsV lower part of the upper register can be played.

These conditions are brought about by an extremely simple mechanism, which includes the floating lever 54 conjointly controlled by the (lf-key and the octave key. The octave mechanism is thereby greatly simplified, as compared with former practice, the number of operating parts between the keys and the valves is reduced, there is a corresponding reduction in the amount of friction to be overcome in playing the instrument, and of course there is a like reduction in the expense of manufacture of the instrument.

Having thus described one embodiment ot the invention, but without limiting myselt thereto, what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to secure is:

l. In a saxophone, the combination oit a horn having two octave openings, two octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, an octave key, a G-key, and mechanism con- `jointly controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to lift one pad from its opening while the second pad is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on said octave key to maintain the first pad upon its opening and to lift the second pad 'from its opening, said mechanism including a tloating lever having two ulcrums one of which is moved by said octave key andthe other ot' which may be held against movement by said G-key.

` 2. In a saxophone, the combination ot a horn having two octave openings, two octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, an octave key, a Gkey, and mechanism conjointly controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to lift one pad from' its opening whileA the second pad is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on said octave key to maintain the first pad upon its opening and to lift t-lie second pad from its opening, said mechanism including a floating lever having two ulcrums which extend in the same general direct-ion, one of said tulcrums being moved by said octave key and the other of which may be held against movement by said G-key.

3. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having two octave openings, two octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, :in octave key, a G-key, and mechanism conjointly controlled by said keys to canse pressure on both to. lift one pad from its opening while the second pad is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on the octave opening and to lift the second pad from its opening, said mechanism including a lever connected to said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable ulcrum for said lever, a spring which tends to cause said tulcrinn' to move when saidoctave key is pressed, and

means operated by said G-key to prevent said ulcrum from moving.

4. In a saxophone, the combination ot a horn having` two octave openings, two octave pads controlling said openings, resepctively, an octave ke i, a G-key, and mechanism conjointlyv controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to litt one pad trom its openin g whilel the second pad is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on the octave key only to maintain the first pad upon its Yopening and to litt the second pad from its opening, said mechanism including lever connected to said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable tulcrum `tor said lever, an actuator for one ot said octave pads, said actuator carrying said movable tulcrum, a spring which tends to make said actuator follow said octave key when the latter is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said actuator and to prevent the same trom following said octave key.

5. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having` two octave openings, two octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, an ctave key, a G-key, and mechanism conjointly controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to litt one pad from its opening while the second pad ismaintained upon its opening, and .to cause pressure on the octave key only to maintain the i'irst pad upon its opening and to litt the second pad from its opening, said mechanism including a lever connected to said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable fulcruni 'for said lever, a rockshaft which actuates one of said octave pads, said rockshaft carrying said movable tulcrunn spring which tends to make said rocksliaiit move said itiilcruin when said. octave key is pressed, and means operated by said Gr-key to lock said sha'tt. and to prevent the same trom moving said tulcrum.

6. In a. saxophone, the combination of a horn having two octave openings` two octave pads controlling said openings, respectively,L an octave key, a G- rey` and mechanism conjointly controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to litt one pad 'from its opening while the second pad .is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on the octave key only to maintain the first pad upon its opening and to liit the second pad from its opening. said mechanism including a lever connected to said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable ulcrum for said lever` a rockshatt which is coaxial with said octave key and which actuates one of said octave pads, said rockshatt carrying said movable tulcriim, a spring which tends to make said rockshat move said fulcrum when said octave key is iressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said shaft and to prevent the same from moving said fulcrum.

7. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having two octave openings, two octave i "so pads controlling said openings, respectively, an octave key, a G-key, and mechanism conjointly controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to lift one pad from its opening while the second pad is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on the octave key only to maintain the first pad upon its opening and to litt the second pad trom its opening, said mechanism including a lever connected to said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable fulcrum for said lever, a rockshait which is transverse to said fulcrum and actuates one of said octave pads said rockshaft carrying` said movable fulcrum, a spring which tends to make said rockshaft move said fulcrum when said octave key is pressed, and means operated by said Gr-key to lock said shaft and to prevent the same from moving said ulcrum.

8. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having two octave openings, two octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, an octave key, a G-key, and mechanism conjointly controlled by said keys to cause pressure on both to litt one pad from its opening while the second pad is maintained upon its opening, and to cause pressure on the octave key only to maintain the iirst pad upon its opening and to litt the second pad from its opening, said mechanism including a lever connected to said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable ulcrum for said lever, a rock shait which is coaxial with said octave key, which is transverse to said fulcrum and which aetuates one of said octave pads, said rocksh att carrying said movable tulcrum, a spring which tends to make said rockshaift move said tulcrum when d octave key is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said shaft and to prevent the same from moving said tulcrum.

9. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having a neck provided with an octave opening on its left side, considered with reference to the way the instrument is held in playing, a pad which covers and uncovers said opening, a lever which carries said pad, and a second lever which actuates the first lever and has its ulcrum parallel with the lulcrum et the first lever.

10. In a saxophone, the combination o a born having a neck provided with an octave opening on its left side, considered with reference to the way the instrument is held in playing, a pad which covers and uncovers said opening, a. lever which carries said pad, and a second lever which actuates the first lever and has its fulcrum parallel with the tulcrum of the first lever said levers being articulated together at a point which is on the same side of both fulcrums.

11. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having a neck provided with an octave opening on its left side, considered with reference to the way the instrument is held in playing, a pad which covers and uncovers said opening, a lever which carries said pad, and a second lever which actuates the first lever, said levers being articulated together at a point which is on the same side of both fulcrums.

12. In a saxophone, the combination of a G-key, a rockshaft to which said G-key is secured, an arm secured to said rockshaft, a second rockshait parallel with the lirst, and an arm secured to said second rockshaft, said arms being articulated together at a point which is on the same side of both of said rockshafts.

13. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with an octave opening, a pad which covers and uncovers said opening, a lever which carries said pad, and a second lever which actuates the first, said levers heilig articulated together at a point which is on the same side of the fulcrums of both levers.

14. In a saxophone, the combination of a body provided with an octave opening, a pad which covers and uncovers said opening, a lever which carries said pad, and a second lever which actuates the iirst, said levers being tulcrumed to turn about axes which extend in the same general direction, and being articulated together at a point which is on the same side of the fulcrums of both levers.

15. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper` octave opening, a spring tending to lift said lower octave pad from its openings, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal position, a Gr-key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause the pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole, and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper roctave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a lever having articulated connection with said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable fulcrum for said lever, a rockshatt which is coaxial with said octave key, and is transverse to said fulcrum, and actuates said upper octave pad, and carries said fulcrum, a spring which tends to make said rocksliaft move said fulcrum when said octave key is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said rockshaft and to prevent the same from moving said ulcrum.

16. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending a lift said lower octave pad from its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole, and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including` a lever having articulated connection with said octave keyk to be rocked thereby, a movable tulcrum for said lever, a rockshaft which is y transverse to said fulcrum, and actuates said upper octave pad, and carries said fulcrum, a spring which tends to make said rockshatt move said ulcrum when said octave key is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said rockshaft and to prevent the same from moving said fulcrum.

17. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending to lift said lower octave pad from its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole,`

and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a lever having articulated connection with said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable fulcrum for said lever, a rockshaft which is coaxial with said octave key, and actuates said upper octave pad, and carries said fulcrum, a spring which tends to make said roekshaft move said tulcrum when said octave key is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said rockshaft and to prevent the same `from moving said fulcrum.

18. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending to lift said lower octave pad Jfrom its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole, and to cause pressure onsaid octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening` and to litt said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a lever having articulated connection with said octave key to be rocked thereby,'a movable Julcrum 'for said lever, a rocksliaft which actuates said upper octave pad, and carries said fulcrum, a spring which tends to make said rockshatt move said fulcrum when said octave key is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said rockshatt and to prevent the same from moving said fulcrum.

19. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling .said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat saidL upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending to lift said lower octave pad from its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal posit-ion, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to litt said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole, and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a lever having articulated connection with said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable fulcrum for said lever, an actuator for said upper octave pad, s icl actuator carrying said fulcrum, a spring which tends to make said actuator follow said octave key when the latter is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to lock said actuator and to prevent the same from following said octave key.

QO. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending to litt said lower octave pad `from its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism iconjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole, and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a lever having articulated connection with said octave key to be rocked thereby, a movable 'ulcrum for said lever, a spring which tends to cause said fulcrum to move when said octave key is pressed, and means operated by said G-key to prevent said fulcrum Vfrom moving.

2l. AIn a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending to lift said lower octave pad from its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring tending to maintain said Gr-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad While said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower oct-ave hole, and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower 0ctave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a oating lever having two fulcrums which extend in the same general direction, a spring to move one or" said lfulcrums when said octave key is pressed, and means for causing pressure on said G-key to hold the other ulcrum against movement.

22. In a saxophone, the combination of a horn having upper and lower octave openings, upper and lower octave pads controlling said openings, respectively, a spring tending to seat said upper octave pad on said upper octave opening, a spring tending to litt said lower octave pad from its opening, an octave key, a spring tending to maintain said'key in its normal position, a G-key, a spring ten ding to maintain said G-key in its normal position, and mechanism conjointly controlled by both keys to cause pressure on both to lift said upper octave pad while said lower octave pad is maintained on said lower octave hole, and to cause pressure on said octave key only to maintain said upper octave pad upon said upper octave opening and to lift said lower octave pad from said lower pad opening, said mechanism including a floating lever having two fulcrums, a spring to move one of said fulcrums when said octave key is pressed, and means for causing pressure on said G-key to hold the other fulcrum against movement.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specication.

EDWARD V. POWELL.

CER'ilFlCATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 1,735,411. Granted November 12, 1929, to

l EDWARD V. PoWELL.

It is herebycertilied that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lines 104 and 105, claim 15, strike out the Words and comma "a G-key in its normal positi0n,; page 5, line 2, claim 16, strike ont the article "a" second occurrence and insert instead "to"; and tnat the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record oi the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of December, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTlFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,735,411. Granted November 12, 1929, to

` EDWARD v. POWELL.

It is herebycertifed that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lines 104 and 105, claim 15, strike out the words and comma a G-key in its normal position,"; page 5, line 2, claim 16, strike out the article "a" second occurrence and insert instead "to"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 17th day7 of December, A. D. 1929.

M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

